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Elder Jenkins' 
Reception 

By 

Willis N. Bugbee 



Price 25 Cents 



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The Willis N. Bugbee Co. 

SYRACUSE, N. Y. 




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Bugbee's Popular Plays 

ELDER JENKINS' 
RECEPTION 



By 

Willis N. Bugbee 

Author of "Coonv-ille 'Ristocrat Club" "The Deacons 

Honeymoon" "Billy's Aunt Jane" "Peggy of Prim- 

rose Farm" "Polly at Sunshine Cottage" 

"Aunt Sophronia at College," etc., etc. 



Copyright, 1922, by Willis N. Bugbee 



THE WILLIS N. BUGBEE CO. 

SYRACUSE, N. Y. 



Elder Jenkins' Reception^. 

CHARACTERS ./"-" 

Rev. Moody Dwight Jenkins The new pastor 

Deacon Astor Gould Blueblood A rich parishoner 

Rufus Rastus Simmons The Host 

Ebenezer Alexander Baldhead Who likes to shoot craps 

Moses Mordecai Hambone A breaker of ladies' hearts 

Sam Augustus Porterhouse A tonsorial artist 

Jeremiah Cicero Perkins .In love with Liza 

Lucindy Chloe Simmons The hostess 

Deuteronomy Simmons Daughter of Rufus and Lucindy 

Ophelia Pearline Snowdrop With an eye on the pastor 

Mrs. Tilly Arabella Baldhead Wife of Ebenezer 

Mandy Lulu Beanpod An eligible young lady 

Juliana Susanna Shaw Another eligible 

Liza Love Jackson In love with Jeremiah 

Mrs. Lilly Rosebud Porterhouse Wife of Sam 

Timei — Any time. 

Place: — Coonville 

Time of Playing — About one hour 

COSTUMES 

Elder Jenkins wears a long black clerical coat, trousers much 
too long for him, white shirt, very high standing collar and spectacles. 

Deacon Blueblood is very portly. Wears dark clothes, white 
shirt, large standing collar and sports a huge buttonhole bouquet. 

Moses is dressed very flashily. 

Mandy, Ophelia and Juliana wear gay-colored dresses with vari- 
colored ribbons and "gew-gaws." 

Others wear eccentric or outlandish costumes. 



A man or boy may imitate the crowing of the rooster behind 
scenes. 

CI.D" 628C5 

NOV 131922 *"*»«*■ 






Elder Jenkins' Reception 

Scene: A living room at the Simmons home. Furnishings con- 
sist of wooden benches, kitchen chairs and any other dilapidated 
pieces. Cheap chromos and advertising pictures hang on the wall. 

Mrs. Lucindy Simmons is discovered sewing buttons on a pair 
of trousers. 

Lucindy. Mah goodness! I nebber see a pair of trouserloons 
wat needed so much mendin' as dese, specially fo' a man wat don't 
work no more'n my Rufus does. He's nuffin' but a reg'lar born 
setter. 

Rufus (in bedroom). Hey, Cindy, ain't yo' got dem pants 
mos' done? 

Lucindy. Lawdy sakes! How yo' spect I get 'em done in two 
minutes when yo'se purty nigh sot 'em all out? 

Rufus. Can't yo' hurry some? I'se plumb sick an' tiahed ob 
lay in' in bed. 

Lucindy. I nebber see de beat. A man wat likes to set so much 
hadn't orter grumble 'bout a little layin'. 

Rufus. But I'se been in bed mos' two hours a'ready, Cindy. 

Lucindy. Can't he'p it. Yo' ain't got but one pair. I'se got 
de patches all done but I'se gotter sew de 'spender buttons on. 

Rufus. Reckon dem buttons am all right, Cindy. Yo' don't 
need to bodder wif dem. 

Lucindy. Don't hey? Don't yo' fool yo'sef. I ain't gwine hab 
no man ob mine wif his pants fallin' off at de pahson's reception. 
No, sah. If yo' don't wanter lay abed yo' can put on my ol' skirt 
wat hangs ober de back of dat cheer in dar. (To audience.) Dat 
man am de mos' onreasonablist man I ebber seed. He don't care 
no mo' how he looks dan nuffin' tall — no mo' dan one of dem African 
jungle men. He don't care if his clothes am all rags or if he don't 
hab none tall. Jes' look dar. Don't dem look bettah dan holes? 
(Holds up trousers showing gay colored patches at back.) Co'se dey 
does. 

(Enter Rufus, wearing skirt.) 

Lucindy. Well, mah goodness! Yo' did get yo'sef inside dat 
skirt, didn't yo'? 

Rufus. I sho' did but it am a mighty close fit. My stummick 
an' libber am all squshed in togedder. Say, Lucindy! I jes' wondah 
why 'tis we has to hab all de receptions an' sociabilities an' sech like 
heah at our house an' nobody else ebber has any. 'Tain't case we'se 
rich an' powahful lak Deacon Blueblood. 

Lucindy. Dat's jes' de reason. It's case we ain't rich dat we 
has 'em. 

Rufus. How come dat? 

Lucindy. Case we'se so po' we has to lib in a barn 'stead ob a 
real house an' dey ain't nobody else got sech big rooms as we has. 
Barn rooms am allers biggah dan house rooms. 

Rufus. Reckon yo' am right, Cindy, sho' nuff. 



4 ELDER JENKINS' RECEPTION 

Lucindy. Co'se I'se right. An' if 'twan't fo' dat we nebber 
could move in sech high-tone s'ciety as we does. Dat's how de 
Lawd done bress de po'. 

Rufus. Den why fo' am yo' allers gnimblin', Cindy? Jes' tell 
me dat. Yo'se allers callin' me a shifless, ornery niggah wat nebber 
does a stroke ob work. Don't I provide yo' wif de grub? 

Lucindy. Deed yo' does, 'ceptin' wat I earns mysef by washin'. 
But whar does yo' get it? 

Rufus. Sh — ! Don't ask dat question in de night-time. De 
preacher sez las' Sunday, "De night hab a tousand yeahs." 

(Enter Ophelia Snowdrop.) 

Ophelia. 'Scuse me, I jes' walk in 'thout knockin\ 

Lucindy. Dat's right, Ophelia. We don't care fo' seremony, 
specially long's it's vo'. 

Ophelia. I knows yo' don't. (Sees Rufus.) Well, he! he! he! 
he! he! Am dat de new style of ebenin' weah fo' men? He! he! he! 

Rufus. 'Scuse me also, Miss Ophelia, but if yo' only knows how 
I'se suff'rin yo' wouldn't laugh — deed yo' wouldn't. 

Lucindy. He ain't got nuffin' else to weah while I'se mendin' 
his pants fo' de reception. Dar now! Dey's all done. Yo' can hab 
'em. 

Rufus. Bress de Lawd. (Takes trousers and exits.) 

Ophelia. Speakin' ob de reception, I heahs dat preacher am 
gwine be a gweat catch fo' some un'propriated cullud lady. 

Lucindy. I spects dat's why yo'se on han' so early, ain't it? 

Ophelia. Well, I ain't 'sinuatin' nor makin' no prognostications, 
but I'se heah jes' de same. 

Lucindy. Well, do sot down. I'se gotter get my clean apron on 
fo' dem receptioners gets heah. (Proceeds to put on apron, brush 
hair, etc.) 

Ophelia (sitting down). Dey says as how Mandy Beanpod an* 
Juliana Susanna Shaw am' bof settin' dere caps fo' him, an' I lows if 
dey does I ain't gwinter be beat out by no sech trash as dey is. 

Lucindy. I hopes yo' hab bettah luck dan I did when I got my 
©1' man Rufus. He sho' am de limit. 

(Sound of rooster crowing in kitchen.) 

Lucindy. Fo' de Ian' sakes! (Calling.) Deuteronomy! Deu- 
teronomy ! Is yo' dar? 

Deut. (head at door). Yes um, wat yo 1 want, maw? 

Lucindy. Stop dat rooster's noise. Gib it sumpin to eat an' 
shut it up in de clothes press quick as scat. 

Deut. Yes, maw, I sho' will fix him. 

Lucinda. Hustle, case dem receptioners is gwine come mighty 
soon an' some ob 'em might rec'nize dat voice. (Exit Deuteronomy.) 

Ophelia. Dey's comin' now. I heahs 'em down de street. 

(Rooster crows again.) 

Lucindy. Lawdy sakes! Dar's dat rooster crowin' again. (Goes 
to kitchen door.) Hurry up wif dat rooster, Deuteronomy. Dey's 
comin'. 

Deut. (outside). Git in dar yo' oP rattlebox. (To Lucindy.) 
Dar ! I'se got him now, maw. 



ELDER JENKINS' RECEPTION 5 

(Enter Rufus.) 

Rufus. What's gwine on heah? Wat's all de rumpus 'bout? 

Lucindy. Nuinn' only dat ol' rooster yo ? fotched home las' 
night has done sot up his yawp an' we'se had to shut him up in de 
clothe* press. 

Rufus. Am dat all. Whar's de reception folks? Ain't dey 
come 3^et? 

Ophelia. Dey's comin', Mistah Simmons. Can't yo' heah 'em 
laughin' an' talkin'? 

(A knock at the door.) 

Rufus. Sho' nuft. Come right in, folkses! Come right erlong 
in. 

(Enter Ebenezer Baldhead, Mrs. Baldhead, Moses Hambone, 
Juliana Shaw, Mandy Beanpod, Liza Jackson, Sam Porterhouse 
Mrs. Porterhouse and Jeremiah Perkins. They carry baskets and 
boxes.) 

Several. Howdy do, Rufus! Howdy do, Cindy! 

(General greetings follow.) 

Moses. Hi golly! If heah ain't Miss Ophelia Snowdrop done 
got de staht ob us. Spect she's makin' a rush fo' de new preacher. 

Juliana and Mandy. My goodness! Did yo' ebber! 

Ophelia. Now Moses Hambone, wha' fo' yo' done tell sech a 
whopper as dat? Yo' knows bettah. 

Lucindy. Ebrybody fotch yo' eatables out heah an' Deuteron- 
omy '11 take keer ob 'em. 

(All carry baskets, etc., to kitchen and immediately file back 
again.) 

Rufus. Ain't de Elder come yet? 

Eben. No sah. Deacon Blueblood am gwine to fotch him in 
his new flivver. Dey'll be heah fo' long if dey don't run off in de 
ditch an' get combusticated. 

Sam. Did yo' heah how much de deacon done paid fo' dat 
Lizzie ob his? 

Jeremiah. I heah he paid twenty-fibe dollahs fo' it. 

Sam (to Ebenezer). Twenty-fibe dollars? Didn't yo' say it was 
a new one, Ebenezer? 

Eben. I fo'got now wat I did say. 

Jeremiah. I spects dat flivver was new 'bout f oh teen yeahs ago. 
It am de one wat ol' Squire Wright (use any local name) used to 
ride in fo' de war. 

(The horn of auto is heard outside.) 

Ophelia. Oh, heah dey comes now. My heart am thumpin' on 
my rib bones jes' lak it wanter jump out. 

Mrs. Porterhouse. Gracious Peter! Don't let it jump out, 
Miss Ophelia, case dem young fellahs ober dar would break dere 
necks tryin' to grab it. 

(Enter Deacon Blueblood and Elder Jenkins.) 

Several. Good ebenin', Deacon. 
Deacon. Good ebenin', ebrybody. 

Rufus. Come right erlong in an' hab some cheers. I reckon 
likely dis am our new Elder ain't it? 



6 ELDER JENKINS' RECEPTION 

Deacon. Yes sah, dat's him. An' now, ladies an' gemmans an* 
odders — I wishes to present to yo' collectively, dis cullud gemman 
wat has come to be de shepherdess — I mean to watch out fo' de 
shepherdess — er rather, I mean he has come as a shepherd to watch 
ober dis little flock ob sinnahs wat am gathered heah dis ebenin', but 
some ob dem — de bigges' sinnahs ob all ain't heah. Ladies an' gem- 
mans, dis am de Rev 'rend Moody Dwight Jenkins. (Elder bows.) 

All (in medley). Welcome, welcome, Mistah Jenkins. (All try 
to shake hands.) Give us vo' hand. 

Deacon. Hoi' on dar! HoF on dar, folks! Yo'se all gwinter 
hab a chance to shake dice wif de Elder — 

Several. Wat's dat? Say it again. (Elder whispers to Deacon.) 

Deacon. 'Scuse me. I mean to shake hands wif de' Elder. 

Moses. Did I understan' yo' to say yo'se gwine take up a col- 
lection? 

Deacon. No sah, I didn't say nuffin' of de kin'. 

Moses. Wat did vo' say 'bout collection? 

Deacon. I done say I would interjuce yo' to him collectably, 
dat is all to once. 

Moses and Others. O-oh! Dat suah am a gweat relief. 

Deacon. 'An now I'se gwine interjuce each one ob yo' to de 
Elder separably. De Elder an' mysef will stan' ober on dis side ob 
de room an' de sinnahs — 

Eben. Keerful, Deacon, keerful. 

Deacon. 'Scuse me again. I mean de flock — dat is yo' folks, 
will all get in de bread line on de odder side. 

Sam. De bread line? Whar is we sposed to be at? 

Deacon. No, no; I mean jes' a common ord'nary line, an' den 
yo' is gwine pass 'roun one by one so I can interjuce yo' to him. 

Mrs. Bald. Sumpin lak de animals went into de ark? 

Sam. No sah, case — 

"De animals went in two by two, 
De elerfunt an' de kangaroo." 

Deacon. If yo'se all got froo wif yo' foolishness we'll proceed 
wif de interjection. Step right roun' dis way. (Motions. They form 
in line in order of introduction. Deuteronomy appears in doorway.) 

Deut. Say, Maw, can't I hab an interjection to de Elder? 

Lucindy. Well, stan' in line as de Deacon tol' us. 

Deut. Which end shall I stan' on? 

Lucindy. On yo' feet end ob co'se. (She takes place at end of 
line.) 

Deacon (introducing Moses). Elder Jenkins, dis am one ob de 
bigges' sinnahs wat yo' will hab to contend wif — Mistah Moses Mor- 
decai Hambone. 

Elder (shaking hands). I is gweatly pleased to meet yo', Mistah 
Hambone. By de way, wat am his mos' besettin' sin, Deacon? 

Deacon. Why, yo' see he is — dat is — er — he is a breakah ob 
ladies' hearts. Yo' can ask any ob dese young ladies if 'tain't de 
truf. 

Several Girls. No sah, 'tain't de truf. We don't hab n uffin ' to 
do wif dat ol' Hambone. We don't gib him no chance. 



ELDER JENKINS' RECEPTION 7 

Deacon. 'Scuse me, ladies. I didn't mean no 'fense. De nex' am 
Juliana Susanna Shaw an' Mandy Lulu Beanpod. 

Ophelia. Deacon Blueblood, it orter been my turn fust. I was 
de fust one heah. 

Deacon. I takes 'em as dey comes. Yo' ain't heah— yo' is ober 
dar. 

Ophelia. Dat's case dem two females sqoose in ahead ob me. 

Deacon. Well den yo' step right ober dis way. (She comes for- 
ward.) Elder, dis am Miss Ophelia Pearline Snowdrop. I will say- 
right heah dat dese am free ob de mos' eligible young ladies in dis 
communerty. All free ob dem would make spankin' good wives fo' 
any nice respectable cullud gemman. 

Girls. Now, Deacon! 

Elder. Young ladies, dis am a berry gweat pleasure I assuah yo*. 
(He shakes hands of each in turn, the girls smiling very coquettishly.) 
My heart is overflowin' wif joy. (Suddenly to Deacon,) But, 
Deacon, I suah has to disagree wif yo'. How could all free ob dem 
lubly young ladies be de wibes ob one lone man — 'less he's a bigger- 
mist? 

Deacon. Dat sho' am a fac', Elder. Dar would hab to be free 
men ob co'se. 

Elder. We shall suttinly see wat can be done about it. My fee 
fo' marriages am fibe dollahs — cash down. Nex'. 

Deacon. De nex' am Rufus Rastus Simmons. He am known as 
de mos' shifless niggah in Hardscrabble County, but he sho' does 
know whar to fin' good chickens. An' dis am his wife, Lucindy Chloe 
Simmons. She likewise knows how to cook dem chickens so dey 
make yo' mouf run watah lak a wat'rin' trouf. 

Elder. Mistah Simmons an' Missus Simmons, I'se powahful 
glad fo' to make yo' 'quaintance. (Shaking hands.) De mention ob 
dem chickens jes' make my mouf watah aready. (Rooster crows in 
kitchen.) An' de 'magination am so real it jes' seems if I could heah 
dat fowl. 

Jeremiah. Reckon our Paginations am all de same, Elder. 
Seems if I done heah dat same fowl myse'f . 

Deacon. Let us proceed. Dis yer am Mistah Sam Augustus 
Porterhouse. He runs de barber shop aroun' de cornah. (They 
shake hands.) An* dis am his wife, Lilly Rosebud Porterhouse. 
(Greetings.) Dey am a berry congenial couple. 

Mrs. P. Congenial, did yo' say? We'se dat congenial dat if he 
comes home wif anudder jag lak he's done fo' free nights I'se gwine 
blow de top ob his haid clean plumb off. 

Elder. Why, Mis' Porterhouse, dat would be murdah. 

Mrs P. Den murdah it am gwinter be. 

Elder. Ain't yo' got numn' to say 'bout it, Mistah Porterhouse? 

Sam. No sah. If Lilly Rosebud says she's gwine to do it I spect 
she will. 

Elder. Well, den if dar mus' be murdah, remembah I preaches 
funeral sermons fo' ten dollahs apiece. Nex'. 

Deacon. De nex' am one ob our mos' worthy citizens, Mistah 
Ebenezer Alexander Baldhead. (Elder and Eben shake hands.) An' 
dis am his wife, Tilly Arabella Baldhead. (Greetings.) De only 
trouble 'bout Mistah Baldhead is dat he lubs to shoot craps. 



8 ELDER JENKINS' RECEPTION 

Eldee. Dat sho' am a tumble sin. I shall hab to remonstrate 
wif him. (To Eben.) Mistah Baldhead, if yo' don't min' would yo' 
come ober some night so's I can do dat remonstratin' wif yo'? 

Eben. Yes sah, I'll be ober, Elder. 

Elder. An' come when yo' can stay a good long time 'case dat 
game is liable to be mighty interestin'. (Half subdued oh's from 
others.) 'Scuse me — I mean dat remonstratin' am sho' to be long an' 
mas' effective. 

Deacon. Now heah we comes to anudder couple — Miss Liza 
Love Jackson (shake hands.) an' Mistah Jeremiah Cicero Perkins. 
(Shake.) Dey has already pronounced dere engagements. 

Elder. I wishes to congratulate yo' on takin' de fust step to- 
ward matermony. Marriage am a gweat institution, an' remembah — 
my fee am only fibe dollahs. 

Deacon. Well now we've come to de las' one — Miss Deuteron- 
omy Simmons. (They shake hands.) Miss Deuteronomy am de 
daughter ob Rufus an' Cindy an' a chip off de ol' blocks. 

Lucindy. Dar's whar yo' done fool yose'f. She ain't nuffin' tall 
lak her daddy. She's got mo' gumption an' git-up in her little toe 
dan he's got in his hull body. 

Rurus. Cindy ! 

Lucindy. Dat's right — I knows wat I'se talkin' 'bout. 

Deacon. Now Elder, yo' can see fo' yo'se'f wat yo'se up against. 
Yo'se got a mighty big job on yo' hands. 

Elder. Yes, Deacon, but as I reads betwix' de lines I sees de 
promise ob some gran' an' glorious times ahead. Glory hallelujah! 
Amen. (To others.) An' now, bredren an' sistren, I wanter say to 
yo* we is all banded togedder heah fo' to work in one common 
cause — fo' de upliftin' ob humanity an' fo' de sabin' an' unitin' ob 
souls. I spects yo'se all gwinter stan' by me an* wif me so long's 
I'm yo' pahstor. Does yo' promise? 

Ophelia. Oh Elder, I'se ready to promise anyting. I'se ready 
to stan' by yo' whedder yo'se our pasture or not. 

Juliana. I'se willin' to stan' by yo' fo' bettah or worse. 

Mandy. I would nebber leab yo'. As de poet says: 
"Two souls wif but a single thought, 
Two hearts dat beat as one." (Hands on heart.) 

Sam. Won't somebody ring dem id jots off? 

Mrs. B. If ebrybody will be seated, de young folks has got 
some pieces an' singin' fo' to entertain us wif. (All take chairs and 
arrange them for the speaking.) An' while dey's doin' it some ob de 
ladies will be gettin' de eatables ready. (Mrs. P. and Lucindy leave 
room.) De fust ting am a recertation by Deuteronomy Simmons. 

(Deuteronomy steps forward and recites,) 

THE NEW PASTOR 

We'se got a bran* new pastor — 

He's come to preach an' pray — 
To try to make us righteous 

An* dribe our sins away. 



ELDER JENKINS' RECEPTION 

He ain't so much to look at, 

No mo' dan yo' or me, 
But he's a mighty good man — 

Dat's plain enuf to see. 

His mouf am big an' gen'rous ; 

Wif nose a plenty too, m 

But de bestes' kin' ob beauty 

Is wat we say an' do. 

His eyes am full ob sunshine; 

His smile am kin' an' sweet, 
So whyfo' should it mattah 

'Bout de bigness ob his feet? 

His soul am filled wif kindness 

An' gentle is his voice, 
An' if yo' hears him laughin' 

'Twould make yo' heart rejoice. 

We'se got a bran' new pastor; 

He's young an' full ob life, 
But one ting suah am lackin' 

Our pastor needs a wife. (She sits down.) 

Eben. Good fo' yo', Deuteronomy. Good fo' yo\ Dat am 
berry 'propriate. 

Deaoon. Reckon de shoe fit yo' mighty well, don't it Elder? 

Elder. Wat shoe does yo' refer to? 

Deacon. I means dat pome wat was jes' recited. 

Elder. Does yo' 'sinuate dat I'se got big feet an a big mouf? 

Deacon. No, no, not dat. I mean 'bout de wife. 

Ophelia. Oh yes, Elder Jenkins, ebry parson should hab a wife 
to look aftah his household. 

Juliana. An' to 'sist him in his duties. 

Mandy. An' to share his joys an' weep fo* his sorrows. 

Eben. I reckon he ain't lookin' fo' no weephV woman wat spends 
her time wipin' her eyes 'stead ob de dishes. 

Sam. Reckon he am bettah off 'thout no woman. Jes' take my 
advice an* — 

Elder. I tanks yo' fo' all yo' advice an' I'll considah de mattah 
later. " Am dat all ob de program? 

Mrs. B. No, sah, de young ladies am gwine sing a song now. 

(A duet, quartet or chorus may be given by the young ladies. 
Applause may follow and any suitable remarks. Other recitations 
and songs should be introduced with appropriate comments.) 

Mrs. B. Dat am all ob de program fo' dis ebenin'. 

Elder. I jes' wanter say dat we has all been mos' highly eddifi- 
cated by dis entertainment. I see yo' has some berry lamentable 
young people heah — I mean talentable young people. It am a gweat 
honah to be de pastor ob such a congregation. 



10 ELDER JENKINS' RECEPTION 

Rufus. Deuteronomy, go'n see if dey ain't mos' ready wif de 
'freshments. 

Deut. Golly, I hopes dey is case I ain't hab no suppah yet. 
(Runs out.) 

Deacon. Elder, yo'll fin dat de ladies ob dis communerty am 
berry luminated cooks an' de young ones am no exception to de 
rule. I jes' frows dat out fo' a hint, yo' understan. 

Elder. An' whyfo' hasn't yo' tooken de hint yo'se'f, I lak to 
know. 

Mr. P. Jes' wat I'd lak to know. 

Mrs. B. Jes' wat all ob us would lak to know. 

Deacon. I might say it am jes' wat I would lak to know my- 
self. I spect 'twould take too long to 'xplain it. 

(Enter Deuteronomy.) 

Deut. Maw says it ain't ready yet. Dey ain't got de coffee 
steeped. 

Jeremiah. Wat is we gwine to do to 'muse ourselves wif till 
dat time comes? 

Mandy. I know. Let's play "Snap an' Catch 'em." Will yo' 
jine in de game, Elder? 

Elder. How does yo' play it? 

Mandy. Lawdy sakes! Don't yo' know how? It am heaps ob 
fun. Yo' sets some chairs close togedder — one lookin' dis way an' 
nudder one dis way an' so on (motions). Den a gal sots heah an' a 
man heah an' so on till dey's sotted. I takes "it" an' I calls on yo' 
who am settin' in one ob de chairs to get up an' den yo' runs roun' 
an' tries to git back in yo' chair but if I done kotch yo' first an' gibs 
yo' a rousin' big smack den yo'se "it". 

Juliana. Mandy Beanpod, I tink yo' is too mean fo' anyting. 
Yo' ain't gwine gib de Elder no smack nohow. 

Elder. Wat am a smack? 

Juliana. Goodness! How innocent yo' is! A smack am a 
kiss, dat's wat it am. 

Elder. Oh my, my! Deacon yo' was right. Dis am a berry 
wicked place. I shall hab to bring gweat pressure to beah upon dese 
young folks. 

Liza. Oh say! Can't we hab a dance? 

Mrs. B. Does yo' belieb in dances, Elder? 

Elder. If yo' means de "shimmy" dance or de "fox trot" or de 
"turkey trot" den I don't belieb in 'em. I don't belieb in nobody 
dancin in dere shimmies. An' if de Lawd wanted us to be foxes an' 
turkeys he'd a made us foxes an' turkeys. De only dance I'se in 
fabor ob is de good ol' fashioned cake walk. 

Liza. Oh, let's hab a cake walk. 

Others. Yes, yes, let's hab a cake walk. 

Rufus. We'll hab to cleah de flo'. Jes' set de cheers roun' on 
de sides. 

.(All move chairs to rear. Those not participating may be seated 
and proceed to talk low to each other. Music may be furnished by 
piano, or violin if one of the men can play the latter. . This dance 
may be made as elaborate as desired.) 

Ophelia (After dance has continued for a time). Now it am my 



ELDER JENKINS' RECEPTION 11 

turn to dance wid de Elder. (She steps up to him and offers arm. 
The dance continues until Ophelia appears to faint and is supported 
by the Elder.) 

Liza. My goodness I Wat am de mattah wif Miss Ophelia? 

Elder.. I tink she hab fainted. 

(Juliana who is with the Deacon faints in his arms.) 

Mr. P. Golly, dar's anudder one fainted. Hang to her, Deacon. 

(Mandy faints in Mosb's arms.) 

Liza. Oh look! Dar's Mandy done fainted too. My goodness t 
S'pose I done faint in yo' arms, Jeremiah? 

Jeremiah. Wha' fo' am de use ob it? We'se already engaged. 

Elder. Deacon, does yo' spose it am ketchin', or does yo* spoee 
dey's pulled dem strings too tight? 

Deacon. No sah, I reckon it am all a premeditated plot to 
kotch us po' suckers. 

Moses. An' I reckon we'se done swallered de bait hook 'n all. 

Elder. Oh de sins ob dis people — de wickedness ob dis congre- 
gation. 

(Enter Lucindy and Mrs. P.) 

Lucindy. Ebrybody come now an' hab some 'freshments. It am 
on de table ready. 

(The girls revive suddenly and feign surprise.) 

Girls. O-oh ! Wat's de mattah? 

Elder. Mattah? De mattah is dat yo' hab all played yo* cards 
well an' each one ob yo' holds a trump. 

Girls. Oh, we'se so happy! We'se so happy! 

Rufus. Well, come on ebrybody. Dis am miff to make a 
wooden injun hungry. Come erlong. 

(The rooster crows outside.) 

(All pair off and file out of room singing some jolly negro song 
as the) 

Curtain Falls 

SONGS AND MUSICAL READINGS 
Suitable for Use in Negro Program 

Coontown Troubles $ 55 

Courtin' Liza Jane .60 

De Coonville Jubilee 55 

Dreamin' in de Twilight 55 

Eph'm Jones .50 

Fiddlin' in de Firelight 55 

Keep A-Smilin' .35 

Lil' Ole Brown Cabin 55 

Ole Mister Moon j>0 

Sassy-Faced Sophia .50 

Quartets 

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (male) J5 

To A-Send Salvation Down (male) 10 

Honey Town (female) _ 10 

Honey, If You Only Knew (female) .20 

De Back-Slidin' Brudder (mixed) 10 

Swanee River (mixed) 15 



THE BUGBEE ENTERTAINMENTS 

ARE FAVORITES EVERYWHERE 



Billy's Aunt Jane. Comedy in 3 acts by Willis N. Bugbee. 
For school or community. Good darkey character. 8m., 7f. 
Time, 1^ to 2 hours. 35 cents. 

Happyville School Picnic. A one-act play for intermediate 
and ungraded schools. One of our best. 7 boys, 9 girls. 
Time, 40 minutes or longer. 25 cents. 

Hiram and the Peddlers. A faree in 1 act. The climax 
is a great surprise. 5m., 2f. Time, 30 minutes. 25 cents. 

Graduation at Gay vi lie. A play for grammar grades. 6m., 
6f. Includes a mock commencement, class poem, etc. Time, 
30 minutes. 25 cents. 

Coonville 'Ristocrat Club. A darkey play for church or 
school or any occasion. Clean and wholesome. 6m., 6f. Time, 
1 hour. 35 cenra. 

Darktown Social Betterment S'ciety. A good wholesome 
darkey play. Very funny. For 9 male characters. Time, 30 
minutes. 25 cents. 

Uncle Eben's S'prise Party. Here is another splendid 
negro play. It certainly is a surprise party. 6m., 6f . Time, 
30 minutes. 25 cents. 

Uncle Si and the Sunbeam Club. A delightful play for 
grammer grades. Opportunity for specialties. 7m. f 7f. Time, 
40 minutes to 1 hour. 30 cents. 

Closing Day at Beanville School. The most popular play 
for intermediate grades we have ever offered. 7m., 7f. (more 
or less). Time, 30 minutes or more. 25 cents. 

Midgets' Grand Parade. A delightful pageant for little 
tots. Very easy to produce. Time, 30 minutes. 25 cents. 

Funny Little Food Folks. A novelty entertainment for 
children. This is something different. Time, 30 min. 25 cents. 

Following the Stars and Stripes. A splendid new patriotic 
pageant. This should be on every program. For any number 
of children. Time, 15 to 45 minutes. 25 cents. 

Pretty Pageants for Young Folks. These pageants are not 
only pretty but right up to the minute. Very easy and pleas- 
ing. Good for any time. 35 cents. 

Commencement Helps and Hints. For Eighth Grade 
People. Contains salutatories, valedictories, kistories, class 
will, prophecies, banquet, class drill, play, yells, mottoes, 
colors, novel sports, songs, stunts, etc. A valuable book. 
35 cents. 

Commencement Treasury. Brimful of helpful material for 
the high school graduate. Salutatories, valedictories, pro- 
phecies, etc., etc. 50 cents. 

THE WILLIS N. BUGBEE CO., SYRACUSE, N. Y. 



L'BRARY OF CONGRESS 






016 1 02 491 # 



THE BUGBEE ENTERTAINMENTS 

ARE FAVORITES EVERYWHERE 



The Bugbee Song Novelties 

Sparkin' Peggy Jane. A novelty acting duet for young 
man and woman. Back country types. Very funny. 35 cents. 

We'se Mammy's Little Honeys. A pickaninny action song, 
with minstrel effect if desired. Very cute. 35 cents. 

Here's a Song to You, Old School. A splendid new school 
song. 35 cents. Six copies, $1.75. 

Sally and Si at the Circus. A duet for two country lovers 
who go to the circus and have a gay old time. 35 cents. 

Sewing Ladies Meet, The. The ladies meet to sew but 
you know how it is — they do more gossiping than sewing. 
Very cute. 35 cents. 

Little Washerwomen, The. An action song for little ladies 
at their tubs. A most delightful number. 35 cents. 

Won't You Come and Play With Me? A duet for boy and 
girl, or for two boys and two girls. To be sung with actions. 
35 cents. 

Dearest School of All, The. A pleasing song for a whole 
school or class. Can be used any time, or as farewell song. 
35 cents. 

We're Mighty Glad to See You. Another welcome song 
that will make the audience feel right at home. To be sung 
with action. 35 cents. 

When Santa Had the Rheumatiz. How dreadful it would 
have been if he hadn't got cured in time to make his rounds. 
35 cents. 

There's a Welcome Here for You. A song that offers a 
genuine welcome to the audience. 35 cents. 

Don't Forget to Come Again. Another delightful good-bye 
song. 35 cents. 

We've Got the Mumps. A novelty costume song for chil- 
dren supposed to be afflicted with the mumps. 35 cents. 

The Old Home Folks. A song for adults, or older boys 
and girls, to be used on any program. 35 cents. 

Our Latch String Hangs Outside. A dandy new welcome 
song that will start your entertainment right. Sheet music. 
35 cents. 

Just Smile and Say Good-Bye. A capital song to send your 
audience home feeling good natured. Bright and catchy. 35 
cents. 

De Coonville Jubiilee. The 'Ristocrats of Coonville hold a 
jubilee and "Dey don't get home till the break ob day." Sheet 
music. 35 cents. 



THE WILLIS N. BUGBEE CO., SYRACUSE, N. Y. 



